Conference Highlights Summer 2007 ipmbaNewsletter of the International Police newsMountain Bike Association IPMBA: Promoting and Advocating Education and Organization for Public Safety Bicyclists. Vol. 16, No. 3 E. Baton Rouge EMS Takes the Cake Bicycle Crash Investigation Incredible Effort Impresses All Part 2 of 2 by Maureen Becker by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T Executive Director Coon Rapids PD (MN) retired he post-conference issue of IPMBA News is one of the n the Spring 2007 issue of IPMBA News, we examined the most enjoyable issues to compile. Sorting through the fact that serious crashes involving bicycles quite photos and deciding which ones best convey the spirit of frequently result in civil actions. Officers’ investigations T I the IPMBA conference is both a challenge and a pleasure. Only and reports get examined in detail by both sides. It is so many photos can be used, both in the newsletter and on the important that officers collect and document all of the factors website, and each photo conjures a wealth of memories. It is involved. It is rare to find investigators with a background in our hope that these images, along with the articles, will inspire bicycling, bike laws and cycling dynamics, and this article’s the attendees to think fondly of their conference experiences, and purpose is to provide readers with a more comprehensive will excite in others a desire to make similar memories of their awareness of the pertinent bicycle issues. own. Specific Concerns Unique to Bicycles Because this issue is dedicated to the conference, the underlying No one would do a crash report without recording the make, theme is one of gratitude to the host agency, East Baton Rouge EMS. It is difficult, if not impossible, to model and license number of a motor vehicle, yet bikes are often listed as simply a “bike.” Record and photograph the adequately convey the depth of their commitment. History has shown that it is make, model and serial number of the bicycle. Serial numbers are found in one of three locations: under the bottom bracket not unreasonable for a host agency to invest at least 2,000 staff-hours into the where the pedals are located, on the (rider’s) left side of the top tube below the handle bars, and on the left side “dropout” event during the week-long event alone. That does not include the time spent in where the rear hub attaches to the frame. On some high-end BMX bikes, it may be on the inside of the dropout. If there the days, months, weeks, and years leading up to it. Most conference are more than two sets of numbers use the set on the left side or the forward most. locations are selected at least two years in advance so the (Continued on page 32) personnel charged with carrying out this awesome responsibility have ample time to prepare. An “advance team” usually travels to the prior years’ conferences to learn the “best practices” of hosting a conference. They take notes on what goes well, what inside could use some improvement, what makes the participants Board List......................................................................35 happy, and how to procure and maximize resources. Instructor Corner ...........................................................31 Obviously, the East Baton Rouge EMS advance team took good IPMBA Corporate Members...........................................19 notes. Sure, first-timers were impressed, but that’s relatively Issue Focus: Conference Highlights ...............................5-14 easy to do. The tough part is pleasing the “old-timers,” who Competition Highlights & Results ..............................6 Conference Instructors...............................................9 have lots of basis for comparison. By the time the last crawfish International Attendees..............................................10 had been consumed, even the old-timers were duly impressed! Mocean Grant Winners.............................................11 This was the direct result of the unyielding support provided by Photo Gallery............................................................8 EMS administrator Pam Porter, whose trust and pride in her staff Vendors & Supporters................................................12-14 was reflected at every turn. Rarely have human resources from Member News ..............................................................27-29 across the agency been so well-integrated into the conference – News from the UK.........................................................25-26 from bike personnel to dispatchers to IT gurus, the entire East President’s Column .......................................................2 Baton Rouge EMS team stood ready to ensure that the first Product Purchase Program ............................................20-23 IPMBA conference to be hosted by an EMS agency would be Product Reviews cemented in participants’ memories as “the best yet.” CitraWipe Degreaser .................................................17 Eye Safety Systems.....................................................16 But according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Quick Release Seat Lock............................................16 Department, the “best is yet to come” – see you at the Speedway IPMBA NEWS,th VOL. 16, NO. 3 1 for the 18 Annual IPMBA Conference, April 19-26, 2008, in Indianapolis, Indiana! President’s Column A New Standard is Set What a busy time for the board and staff at addition of the new book, it will be even easier to see why IPMBA! The 2007 IPMBA Conference was IPMBA is the leader in offering the best, most complete an overwhelming success. This year we had training for public safety cyclists. In the meantime, the attendees from 34 states current Complete Guide is still and four countries. It is available for purchase from the always great to renew old There was no IPMBA office. friendships and develop stone left Summer is the busy time for public new ones. East Baton safety cyclists. While you’re out there Rouge Parish EMS set a new standard unturned by the riding, remember to keep yourself for IPMBA conferences. There was hydrated. It is so easy to underestimate no stone left unturned by the staff and staff and the outside temperature and humidity volunteers of EBR EMS, from the volunteers ... levels. Before you know it, you have well-stocked hospitality suite each depleted your reserves. As we always night to the wi-fi-enabled laptops with preach, drink before you are thirsty. remote printing capability so conference attendees could But don’t overdo it – drinking too much water can bring check e-mail and work on their presentations. These on a rare but dangerous condition known as “extras,” plus the many events and activities that EBR hyponatremia. For more information about heat-related EMS had planned for the week, made this a conference illnesses, visit the Resource page at www.ipmba.org and that will be hard to beat. download the American College of Sports Medicine Inter- Even as the conference was in full swing, work was being Association Task Force on Exertional Heat Illnesses done to finish the Complete Guide to Public Safety Consensus Statement. Cycling, Second Edition. Many conference attendees Remember that each of us have the best job in the world. were able to see several chapters of the new book to get a Where else can you get paid your salary to ride a bike all feel of what is coming. I heard many positive comments day long? Be visible, be safe, and have a great summer. about the color pictures, larger size, and updated text. Currently, we are striving for an August release date. Upon release, the book will be available for purchase from Jones and Bartlett Publishers (www.jbpub.com). Jim Bowell They are currently accepting advance orders. With the BE AN IPMBA INSTRUCTOR! ipmba news Newsletter of the Want to become an IPMBA-Certified Instructor? INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION 583 Frederick Road, Suite 5B Baltimore, MD 21228 PH: 410-744-2400 ~ FX: 410-744-5504 all 410-744-2400 or email [email protected] to E-mail: [email protected] obtain an instructor application packet. In the Web site: www.ipmba.org C Jim Bowell simplest of terms, to become an Instructor, you must IPMBA President Maureen Becker meet the criteria outlined in the packet, apply to Executive Director; Managing Editor Jennifer Horan IPMBA headquarters, be approved, then register for Design and Layout Copyright 2007 © International Police Mountain Bike and attend one of the Instructor Courses. Association (IPMBA). Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Check out www.ipmba.org for information The International Police Mountain Bike Association is a non-profit educational organization providing resources, on the upcoming instructor courses in networking opportunities, and training for public safety bicyclists. Fredericksburg, VA (Oct. 15-19) and in Interested in submitting an article? Interested in advertising in IPMBA News? London, England (Sept. 3-7) Call Maureen (410-744-2400) for information. 2 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Summer 2007 IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 16, NO. 3 3 Instructor Corner 4 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Summer 2007 For the first time in the history of IPMBA, the annual conference was hosted by an EMS agency. Our hosts, East Baton Rouge EMS, made a commitment to producing a well-orchestrated event. In the process, they clearly demonstrated that an EMS agency could do as well as a police department with hosting the event, if not better. It was an excellent event, demonstrating not only that